An Examination of the Drift Towards
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Dissecting Social Robotics Discourse 1 DISSECTING SOCIAL ROBOTICS DISCOURSE: AN EXAMINATION OF THE DRIFT TOWARDS LIVING WITH AND FOR MACHINES A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE MASTER OF ARTS BY PRESTON C. RUSSETT JAMES W. CHESEBRO BALL STATE UNIVERSITY MUNCIE, INDIANA MAY 2011 Dissecting Social Robotics Discourse 2 Table of Contents Title Page 1 Table of Contents 2 List of Tables 3 Acknowledgement 4 Abstract 5 Chapter I: Introduction and Justification 6 Chapter II: Lit. Review of Sociable Robots: The Past, the Present, and the Future 21 Chapter III: Methods for Analysis 35 Chapter IV: Critical Analysis of Social Robotics and Social Robotics Discourse 50 Chapter V: Discussion 68 References 71 The New York Times Sample References 75 Endnotes 77 Appendix A: Appeal Attributed to Social Robotics in The New York Times 80 Dissecting Social Robotics Discourse 3 List of Tables Table 2.1 - Roles Attributed to Robots in Television Series 25-26 Table 4.1 - Seven Convenient Summative Principles Characterizing Table 4.2 55-56 Table 4.2 - Appeal Attributed to Social Robotics in The New York Times 80-81 Dissecting Social Robotics Discourse 4 Acknowledgement A prodigious amount of thanks is extended to my thesis committee for their input across this study. Primarily, I would like to thank my chair, Dr. James W. Chesebro, for his guidance and sincere interest in my efforts. His guiding voice and insights into communication studies strengthened this study and my confidence. I am also grateful to Dr. Joseph P. Misiewicz and Dr. Michael Holmes for their constructive criticism and patience in the writing of this thesis. Finally, I would like to thank my family, friends, and dog for their endless tolerance and support. Dissecting Social Robotics Discourse 5 Abstract THESIS: Dissecting Social Robotics Discourse: An Examination of the Drift Towards Living With and For Machines STUDENT: Preston C. Russett DEGREE: Master of Arts COLLEGE: Communication, Information, and Media DATE: April, 2011 PAGES: 81 Sociable robots are increasing in complexity, popularity, and visibility. With the rapid diffusion of digital technologies in contemporary cultures, there is often limited time for critical reflection. The purpose of this thesis is to critically dissect an evolving technology, social robotics, as it begins entering more and more modern contexts. Using an eclectic approach, this research examines social robotics discourse across The New York Times (from 1986 to 2010) and popular fiction. Specifically, this thesis analyzes the media promoted appeal of social robotics, how social robotics are being presented to a general and specific audience, and evaluates how popular discourse on social robotics might be changing perceptions of communication and humanity. This research serves as a starting point for ongoing research into how new technologies and discourse on new technologies change, and attempt to influence, people and culture. Dissecting Social Robotics Discourse 6 Chapter I: Introduction and Justification As we swim in the technology-flooded 21st century, we must discuss the influence of technology on communication with renewed vigor and focus. Cultural critic Neil Postman (1992) observed, “New technologies alter the structure of our interests: the things we think about. They alter the character of our symbols: the things we think with. And they alter the nature of community” (p. 20). As interpreted by Postman, Francis Bacon, a 16th century English philosopher and advocate of applied, organized science, implored “informing the public of the utility of invention was as important as invention itself” (Postman, p. 38). The ever-increasing links between technology and communication need to be critically examined and re-examined. Technology- communication associations can be counter-productive when embraced with little discussion or reflection. Broadly, this study deals with the influence of technology on communication and culture. Specifically, it examines the appeal of social robotics in early 21st century America. Towards this end, this chapter is divided into six major parts. First, an escalating and ongoing attachment of diverse technologies to daily life is outlined. Second, one inevitable technical pinnacle is isolated as an object of study, the sociable robot. The sociable robot can be seen evolving inside increasingly technology-altered modern cultures. Third, science fiction narratives are introduced as a source for inspiration and an exploration of various technological and cultural developments. Specifically, particular examples in science fiction that explore the potential role of sociable robots are highlighted. Fourth, sociable robots are shown to be transcending imaginations and Dissecting Social Robotics Discourse 7 surfacing in physical reality. Fifth, this chapter transitions to a discussion of the potentials of advanced sociable robots with an emphasis on their appeal as functional social companions. Sixth and finally, the motivations and direction for this study are outlined. Innovation and Absorption: An Accelerating Trend The American culture saw expansive transformations (some even claim radical transformations) during the 20th century. While we are only at the onset of the 21st century and its promises, these cultural transformations seem to be establishing a perspective and norm for how we experience life in the 21st century. Of all of the factors that might be isolated as contributing to these transformations, technology appears to be both an instrumental and enduring variable. While particular technologies deserve certain attention, the recognition of an overall pattern among diverse technologies over the last one hundred (if not two hundred) years is instructive. During this period, not only have more technologies been discovered, but, also, the rate of implementation of these technologies has accelerated. The American culture is now, more than ever, dominated by and mediated by technologies of all shapes, kinds, types, and sizes. We see a seemingly bottomless gamut of diverse technologies increasingly adopted in virtually all domains of the American culture. Some specifics regarding these technological patterns deserve particular attention. Nearly forty years ago, McHale (1972) observed “the new relationships and narrowing intervals between scientific discovery, technological development, and large-scale usage have become dramatically visible” (p. 1). For example, as McHale illustrated, it took approximately 112 years between the discovery of photographic technology and its wide scale adoption and application. It took approximately 56 years from the discovery of Dissecting Social Robotics Discourse 8 telephone technology to its wide scale adoption and application (McHale). It took approximately 35 years between the discovery of radio technology and wide scale adoption and application of radio technology (McHale). It took approximately 12 years between the discovery of television technology and the wide scale adoption of television (McHale). Technological innovations are being implemented at an increasingly faster rate. Contemporary trend analysis of technological innovation and integration reaffirms and expands McHale’s findings. In 2007, Kurweil examined the breakdowns of key events in biological and technological evolution reported from fifteen different sources, ranging from experts like Carl Sagan to organizations like the American Museum of Natural History. Kurzweil extrapolated, “We see some expected variation, but an unmistakable exponential trend: key technology related events have been occurring at an ever-hastening pace” (p. 36). Kurzweil’s research echoes points reported in McHale’s research and further outlines an escalating acceleration of human invented and adopted technology. Two years ago, The New York Times provided similar research documenting the increasingly fast mainstream adoption of new technology (Cox & Alm, 2008). These authors reported wide scale diffusion of new technology spreads faster today than 100 years ago, noting, for example, it took over 50 years for telephones to reach 80% of American households versus approximately 10 years for cellular phones to reach 80% of American households. The stove took over 80 years to reach 80% of American households whereas the microwave took less than 20 years to reach 80% of American households (Cox et al.).1 Dissecting Social Robotics Discourse 9 As scholars continue to report, major technological innovations appear to be occurring at an increasing pace. Furthermore, the span between the development of new technology and the widespread adoption of that technology appears to be shortening. The consumer appears to accept, embrace, and perhaps even expect, new technology faster now than in the past. Introduction The pervasiveness and accelerated growth of technologies is central to the focus of this thesis. Rapid diffusion of digital technologies is itself a kind of dramatic celebration unto itself, a “show” that can easily become a marked measure of the value and accomplishments of a culture. Yet, it is equally important to recognize that the adoption of all of these technologies requires, if not demands, critical reflection. McHale suggested “the conceptual grasp of ongoing changes and their potential consequences is one of our survival imperatives” (1972, p.1). A host of critics have argued the mainstream allure of absolute efficiency, immediacy, and convenience inspires the commercialization